Frost preventative for crops

ABSTRACT

MOLASSES, PREFERABLY BEET SUGAR MOLASSES, IS EMPLOYED AS A FROST PROTECTANT FOR PLANTS, PREFERABLY FRUIT TREES. THE SUGAR BEET MOLASSES APPLICATION ALSO PROVIDES FOOD FOR FOLIAGE GROWTH. PREFERABLY THERE IS INCLUDED A FORMULATION FOR INCREASING THE POLLINATION OF FRUIT.

United States Patent 7 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Molasses, preferablybeet" sugar molasses, is employed as a frost protectant for plants,preferably fruit trees. The

sugar beet molasses-application 'also provides food for foliage growth.Preferably there is included a formulation for increasing thepollination of fruit. J 3 V The present invention relates to theprotection of plant life from frost damage. l I

It is the primary object of the present invention to reduce frost damageof plants, particularly fruit trees.

Another object is to provide a food source for foliar growth while atthe same time protecting plants, particu- .larlyfruit trees, from frostdamage.

Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability of thepresent invention will become apparent from the detailed descriptiongiven hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the. detaileddescription and specific example, while indicating. preferredembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only,since various changes and modifications; within the spirit and scope ofthe inventionwillbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdetailed description... It has now been found that these objects can beattained by applying toplants, particularly fruit trees, susceptible to,frost; ma e o es-.11 mo ss s norma y P- plied to the plants at any timefrom the green bud stage to the fruitlet stage: v w H ,v

The present treatment is not to be confused with the treatment inHopfPat. 2,610,117 whereiurnolasses is employed in a formulation whichisburned in a greenhouse. In the Hopf'procedure the molasses is simply asource of fuel to provide heat and volatilize the plant hormone andVitamin K. In-the-present invention the molasses is applied directly asthe frost protectaut to the living trees, i.e. ;to the buds, foliage,flowers, fruitlets'and/or fruit. 4,

The preferred form of molasses is beet sugar, molasses -(mos tpreferablyanimal grade beet sugar molasses). Not only does the beetsugarjmolasses act as a frost protectant but it also acts as 'a'food forfoliageagrowth- Beetsugar 3,555,727 Patented Jan. 1 9, 1971 "ice . 2 vacids (primarily aconitic acid but also including melassic acid,.glutimic acid and saccharinic acid), 0.5% silica, 3.5% potash, 1.5%lime, 0.1% magnesia, 0.2% phosphoric acid, 1.6% sulfuric acid, 0.4%chlorine, 0.2% soda, iron and-miscellaneous. (Kirk-Othmer firstedition,'vol. 9, pages 167-168 shows the typical beet sugar and canesugar molasses analyses).

The molasses is normally diluted with water to give a formulation having0.1 to-8 gallons of molasses in 100 gallons of product, usually 0.25 to4 gallons of molasses in 100 gallons of product and most preferablyabout 0.5 gallon of molasses in 100 gallons of product.

There is also desirably included .in the finalproduct salt in an amountof 0.06 to 0.5 pound per gallon of molasses. The salt can be used inlesser amounts or even omitted. i

For best' results there is included a composition for assisting thepollination offruit. Such a composition for example is Pollenaid 300(made by Crop King) which contains 0.36% Manganese (present as monosodium manganous hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate), 0.72% iron(present as mono sodium ferrous hydroxyethyl ethylene diaminetriacetate), 0.88% nitrogen (present as carbamide, mono sodium manganoushydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate, and mono sodium ferroushydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate) and 98.04% inert ingredients.The inert ingredients consist essentially of water.

When the Pollenaid 300 or similar pollination assistant is employed, itis usually used in an amount of 0.06 gallon to 1 gallon, preferably 0.25gallon, per' gallon of molasses. The pollination aid likewise can beused in larger or smaller amounts or can be omitted. Pollenaid 300 isabbreviated hereinafter as P-300.

Additionally there can be used conventionhonionic, anionic and cationicemulsifier formulations. Thus, there can be used K262 (made by CropKing) which is believed to be a mixture of 20% sodium petroleumsulfonates and an alkylaryl polyether alcohol and 80% petroleumhydrocarbon solvent. Other conventional emulsifiers can be used such asoctylphenolethylene oxide adduct with 10 ethylene oxide units,nonylphenol-ethylene oxide condensate, sorbitan monooleate ethyleneoxide condensate, C- dodecyl betaine, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate,sorbitan monolaurate, tall oil-ethylene oxide condensate, saponin,sodium decylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecane sulfonate, sodium laurylsulfate, etc.

.The emulsion formulations can contain conventional molasses containssome 30, constitutents. The beet sugar I Y .molasses is alkaline'iin pH..(usually about 7.5-8.6) and typically contains 16.5% water, 51%,sucrose, 1% raffinose, 1% invert sugar, 3.5% glutamic'acid,5.5%otherprotein acids,'-10% other'organic compounds, 0.1% silica, 3.9%.potassium,.1.3%z sodium,-0.02% iron oxide,

0.07% aluminum oxide,-0.26%*calcium, 0.16% magnesium, 0.55% sulfate,0.06% phosphate, 1.6% chloride, 3.5% carbonate. 1

Less preferably'thre can he used other forms of molasses such as sugarcaiie molasses and 'sorghummolasses. 1

araban pectin, etc.), 2% free and 3% :c'ombined organic 1' amides (ashydrocarbon solvents e.g. mineral oil, ker'eosene etc.

Multifilm X477, hereinafter referred to as X-77- (made by ColloidalProducts Corp.) is a mixture of alkylaryl polyethoxy ethanol and freefatty acids and is employed herein as an emulsifierand wetting agent.

Tronic (made by Colloidal Products Corp.) is believed to be a mixture ofnonionic, anionic, and cationic agents i.e. alkylaryl polyoxyethyleneglycols, mixed petroleum distillates, alkyl sulfate and alkyl amineacetate. Trionic represents that class of materials used in agriculturalformulations familiarly known as a spreader-sticker agent. X-77 is anemulsifier and was used in an amount of 0.25 part per part P-300.

The emulsifier formulation can be used, for example, in an amount of 0.1to 0.25 gallon per gallon of molasses,

although this can be widely varied or the emulsifier formulationomitted.

1 v The molasses containing frost control agentsof the present inventioncan be appliedto fruit trees such as peach, apple, plum, cherry, pear,apricot, citrus fruit trees, e.g. orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit,cranberry and avocado plants, tomato and potato plants, etc;

InjExample 1, the 87 formulations were prepared by adding-enoughwatert-- the base-formulation to make up earlier formulations as will beevident from Table 1 which lists the 87 base formulations.

TABLE 1 Formula: Contents "1 Check. ,2 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt.7 3 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. ,4 4 gals. molasses, 0.5 lb. salt.

4 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. v 5 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb.salt, 0.5 gal. v P 300, and X77. v 6 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt,0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. 7 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallonP-300, and X77. 8 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300,and X77.

9 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. l0 1 gallon molasses,0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. ll 0.5 gallon molasses, 0.5gallon P300 and X77. 12 2 gallon molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. 134 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. l4 1 gallon molasses, 0.5lb. salt. 15 Check. 16 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 17 2 gallonsmolasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. 18 1 gallon molasses,0.5 lb. salt. 19 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. 20 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb.salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. 21 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt,0.5 gallon P-300. 22 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77.

23 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 24 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb.salt, 0.5 gallon P-300. 25 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 26 8gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and v27 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gal.P-300 and V X77. 28 Check. 29 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 7 30 2gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. 31 1 gallonmolasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. v32 0.5 gallon P-300,and X77. 33 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt.

34 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 35 4'gallons molasses, 0.5 lb.salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. 36 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallonP-300, and

' X77. 37 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 38 8 gallonsmolasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 39 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon-40 4 -gallons molasses, 0.5 --gallon-=P300and X77. 41 0.5 gallon P 300and X77. 42 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and .12 gallonsmasses,gqgs iasan; 0.5 gallon 1 0 f i1 -K 2- m... 1v gallon molasses,).5 lb. salt, 05 gallon P-300,.X77, and ,40 lbspz'inc.

51 1 gallon molasses, 0.5-1b. Sam-0.5 allon P-300,- 1 qt. K262..

' 5,2 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon '3' 1 "P-'300,l qt.K262."

53 ,2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt,'0.5 gallon P-3 00 and 1 qt. K262.54 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300 and l qt. K262. Il 55 Check. i I 56 1 gallon molasses, 1 lb. salt, 1 gallon P- 300 andlqt. K262. I '57 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. I 58 2gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P300,and X77. 59 2 gallonsmolasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 1 qt. K262. v 60 2gallonsmolasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 05 gallon P 300. 61 -1 gallon-molasses, 0.5 lb.salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, X77 and 40 lbsjzinc. 62 1 gallon molasses, 015gal. P-300 and X71 6 3 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 gal. P-300 and 64 'l-gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 05 gallon -P300 and X77.' V

65 2 gallons molasses,.1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P30() and 1 qt. K262. 66 1gallon molasses, 0.5 lb.'salt, 0.5 gallon g P-300, and 1 qt. K262. i s'67'- 1 :gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 1*gallon 3-300 and 1 qt. K262.68 Check.-' 69 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300 andX77. 70 L 2gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt,'0.5 gallon W P'-300 and X77.1

711.--." 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 72 Check. I 732'gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 salt, 0.5

' gallon P-30O and lot. K262".

. 74 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 .gallon P-300 and. 1' qt.K262.

75 1.5 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon -P-300' and l-qt.Tronie.- :76 "1.5 gallon molasses, 1nlb..salt,"0.5 gallon P 300, andgallon Tronic'. a

77' 2 gallonsmolasses, l'lb. salt, qt. 1 -300 andlqt. Trom'c, 1 :78 2gallons molasses, 1 lb.'salt,*0.5 gallon 1 '-P300 and gallon Tronic. 79-Check. f {:2 .1

. 80 2 gallons'molasses, 1. lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, .1gallon-K262.-'-

81 '2- gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, and 1 gallonK262.

P-300 and 1 qtpI (262. Of the base formulations, the presently preferredformula is Formula 52. It was the formula used in Examples 2-6 (dilutedto 100 gallons as set forth above).

EXAMPLE 1 The procedure employed was as follows. Cuttin'gsof sweetcherry were taken during the winter months when the trees were dormant.These cuttings were placed in containers of clean water and caused tobud out at which time by .trial and error it was found that the besttime to spray for maximum results was just as the buds were beginning toswell. The cuttings were sprayed with various formulations at dormancyand various degrees' of swelling up to full bloom, check samples wereleftunsprayed. In runs 1-14, the cuttings were sprayedonce when the budsstarted swelling (run 1 was the check).

In runs -15 to 27, the cuttings were sprayed twice, first when the budsstarted swelling and second before they showed white (run 15 was thecheck). In runs 28 44, the cuttingswere sprayed once when the budsstarted:to swell (run 28 waslthe check). In runs 45-54, the cut.- tingswere sprayed once when the budsfwer e slightly cuttings were sprayeddormant and warmed up' quickly (run 55 was the check). In runs 68-71,the cuttings were sprayed twice, first when the buds were swelled andsecond just before blooming (run 68 was the check). In.

runs 72-78, the cuttings weresprayed once when the buds were swellingandwarmed'up fast (run 72 was the check). In runs 79-87, the cuttingswere treated once after swelling and left i n shed 48;,hours- (run 79was the check).

After spraying with the frost control formul as each batch was bloomedout and samples of each subject to various temperatures from 10 F. to 28R'for thirtyminute periods, and recorded on tags attached to each. Thesespecimens were then placed at 75 F. for 2 hours andlhenr e ed by utt nand. xamia nauw ha 1 power Bausch and Lomb glass.

Minor discolorations were considered dead. Green fruits-were consideredto be alive. Allfindings were recorded in'cha rt form. The results wereset" forth-in Table 2. r TABLE 2 I j Run (formula) (Lowest temperatureof protection 9 E.) 1 4 4 Check 18. I 3 (Between 12- and 16.)j 4(Between 16 and 20.) 5 .(Between 14 and 22.) 6 17. '7 17 (or below). 8'18. 9 (Between 16 and 18.) f 10 '-(Between and l9.)- 11 (Below 14.) f12 19. 13 21. 14 18. 15 25.

6 16 (Between 18 and 20.) 17 (Between 21 and 23.) 18 19 (Mostly dead,cutting apparently mostly dead). 19 (Between 15 and 18;) 20 (Between 12and'19.) 21 20.

22 22. 23 (Below 17.) 24 (Higher than 19.) 25 18.

27 24. 28 24 (Some dead at 27.) Check 29 22. 30 (Between 16 and-21.) 31(Between 19 and 23.) 32 23 (Or higher). 33 (Between 19 and 21.) 34 25.35 (Between 22 and 24.) 36 (Between 13 and 16.) 37 (Between 16 and 18.)38 (Between 20 and 22.) 39 (Between 25 and 27.) 40 (Higher than 23.) 41(Between 25 and 28.)

42 (Between 17 and 21.) 43 (Between 14 and 17.) 44 (Between 19 and 21.)45 23. 5 Check 46 (Between 22 and 24.)

49 20. 50 21. v 51 (Between 18 and 22.)

53 11 (Or below.)

54 11 (Or below.)

, 55 (Between 17 and 21.)

Check 56 19'.

57 (Between 16 and 18.)

59 (Cuttings apparently mostly dead.) 60 22. I

62 i 19 (Some alive at 15.)

64' (Between 24 and 22;)

68 (Between 22 and 24.)

. Check 69 (Above 20.)

7 0 (Between 20 and 24.) 71 19 72 (Between '24 and '26.)"

-.Check I 73' (Between 20 and 22.)

(Between 24 and 27.) (Between 24 and 27.)

TABLE 2.ontinued 85 (Between 16 and 22.) 86 (Below 18.) 87 (Below 19.)

In Examples 2-6, the spraying was carried out in the field. The treeswere sprayed the first time with the frost control chemical as the budswere swelling. Cuttings containing fruit buds were taken of allvarieties about a week after spraying. These were carefully tagged andthen imrnediately subjected to various temperatures between 7 and 28 F.for 30 minutes and left for 2 hours at 75 F. Samples were then cut andexamined for damage using the Bausch and Lomb 10 power glass. Each testwas recorded under the proper variety and the stage of development wasalso noted as the season advanced. Check samples were also taken as anormal lfOI' comparison. The work was repeated every other day until thefrost season was entirely past. Trees of each variety were also sprayeda second time just before bloom. (It was found that the second spraybest follows the first by only a few days. On pears even a third spray afew days later is desirable.)

An average of nearly 10 F. protection was noted on deciduous fruits. Asstated Formulation 52 appropriately diluted with water to provide 1gallon of formulation in 100 gallons of water was used in Examples 2-6.

EXAMPLE 2 Tree Development of fruit Bing cherry 3 Apple (Delicious) Pearigpple (Delicious) Petals falling.

King pink.

6 Bloom.

10 All pink.

15 All white, some bloom.

9 Full bloom.

All pink.

14 Near full bloom.

8 Petals falling.

6 Do. 8+ Some pink. Apple (J onatha All pink.

EXAMPLE 3 The trees were sprayed at the indicated times. The treatmentwas as in Example 2. The results are set forth in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Extra protection with molasses Development of Tree F.) fruitApple (Delicious) 10 Near bloom. Sweet 0 erry 9 Petals falling. Pear 13Full bloom. Plum 3 Do. Apple (Jonathan) 7 Some bloom. Apple (Rom Allpink. Pea 10 Petals 011. Apple (Dehcious).. 12 Some bloom. Apple(Jonathan) 9+ Bloom. Apple (Rome).- 7+ Near bloom.

12 Petalsfalling. 13 Do. 3+ Do. 4+ Full bloom.

15 Near full bloom.

9"F111l bloom. 12 Near full bloom. 17 Petals off. 14 'Do. 11 Do.

5 Full bloom. 9 Small fruit.

.EXAMPLE 4 The procedure was the same as in Example 2 except that someof the trees weresprayed twice, a week apart.

The results are set forth in Table TABLE 5 Extra protection withmolasses 1) Development; of fruit of sprays Apple (Delicious) Pe arApp]1)e (Delicious) Full bloom.

- Do. out bloom.

0. Full bloom. Do.

Petals loose.

Late bloom.

Small fruit. D0.

Full bloom. Do. D0. Do

Petals off.

Small fruit (pea size).

Schucks tight.

Small fruit.

Do. Petals falling.

. 0- Cherry pea size. 1 Do.

" 1 45 min. cooling.

. EXAMPLE '5 I results are shown in Table 6,

. TABLE 6 Extra Number protection Development Tree of sprays F.) offruit Apple (Delicious) 3 Petals falling.

' 0 3 D0; Apple (.Tonathan) 2 Do.

Do V 3+ Do.

10+ Pea size fruit.

12 Do. 9 Smallfruit. 9+ Do. 7 Petals fi. 11 Shuck slipping. 10+ S mallgreen. Do 10+ 0. Apple (Jonathan) '6' Small fruit. Do f-, 8 Do Apple(Rome) 3 Most petals ofi. Sweet cherry Small iruit.

Do Appllsa (Delicious) j 0 Apple (Jonathan)- Appllg (Rome)...

8 o. 7 Small pea size.

f 8 5" Small match.

8- Shuck. 10 Shuck otI.

7" Pea size- ..7 Large pea size;

10 XA 9 E 6 lasses and pollination assisting composition are applied EMPL together with an emulsifier and a hydrocarbon solvent. The procedurewas the same as in Example 4. The 9. A method accordin to claim 8wherein the emulsiresults are shown in Table 7. fier includes an anionicsulfonate emulsifier and a nonionic TABLE 7 5 alkylaryl polyetheralcohol emulsifier.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein there is Number f g ggDevehpment f also included a minor amount of sodium chloride in the Treesprays fruit molasses mixture. Apple (Delicious)..... 1 12 Large. 11.method according to claim 10 wherein the mo- 2 1 Fe 9; fruit lasses 1sapplied as an aqueous spray containing in every iSfPfillfif 4+ fi 100gallons, 0.1 to 8 gallOns of molasses, 0.06 to 0.5 PI g 33- pound ofsalt per gallon of molasses, 0.06 to 1 gallon Do 1 10 smaihimme Size, ofpollination assisting composition per gallon of mog 38- lasses and 0.1to 0.25 gallon of emulsifier per gallon of 2 11 2x pea size. 15molasses- D g g 38- 12. A frost control composition comprising aqueous1e '1')'ei1 u II 1 s %"slze: sugar beet molasses containing in every 100gallons 0.1 D0 2 10 to 8 gallons of molasses and metal salts ofhydroxyethyl Apple (Jonathan) Q 18 W 3 2: ethylene diamine triacetate inan amount of 0.06 to 1 galg ag? Size- 20 ion per gallon of molasses. 1 7%inch size. 13. A composition according to claim 12 including an i Z 1Vi ric li size emulsifier 2 5 2 Do. I 14. A composition according toclaim 12 wherein the a 13-8 l aSses is ed in an amount of 0.25 to 4gallons per 1 13 Do. 100 gallons, the pollination assisting agent isused in an 2 10 %inch diameter.

amount of 0.25 gallon per gallon of molasses and comprises sodium,ferrous and manganous salts of hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate,and carbamide.

15. A composition according to claim 14 including 0.1 to 0.25 gallon ofemulsifier mixture per gallon of molasses, the emulsifier mixtureincluding a hydrocarbon solvent, 2. sodium petroleum sulfonate and analkylaryl polyether alcohol.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of protecting living plants from frost damage whichcomprises applying to the plant aqueous sugar beet molasses containing0.1 to 8 gallons of molasses in every 100 gallons.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plants are deciduousfruit trees.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the mo- References Citedlasses is applied to the fruit while the fruit is in a stage UNITEDSTATES PATENTS from the green bud stage to the fruitlet stage.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the mog 131144XV lasses isapplied together with a pollination assisting com- 29214O9 V1360 seiggf' -39 2? position. 40

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the pol- 2962416 11/1960Taylor 424"361XV lination assisting composition comprises metal salts ofhydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate. OTHER REFERENCES 6. A methodaccording to claim 5 wherein said salts Blologlcal Abstracts, V01May-August 1956,

contain sodium, manganous, and ferrous salts and there #17800, andCulture lp is also present carbamide.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the mo- ROBERT BAGWILL: PnmaryExamlnel' lasses and pollination assisting composition are appliedtogether with a minor amount of sodium chloride.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the mo- 7126, 97, 113, 118;424361

